"This is just an introduction to the Medicare program," Lewis said. "There are some things you need to know, some things you should know but no one is here to sell you anything. This is purely educational."

"This is Medicare 101, just educational, no strings, just information," Thousand said. "I am a licensed insurance agent since 1997 and I am with Insurance Options. We help people make insurance choices."

Original Medicare was created by Congress in 1965 as the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the federal government.

"Medicare provides insurance to people 65 years of age or older or people with certain disabilities recognized by Social Security," Thousand said. "You can see any doctor and hospital that takes Medicare anywhere in the country. Baby Boomers are signing up for Medicare at 10,000 per day."

Original Medicare consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A helps with hospital, skilled nursing, home health care and hospice. Part B helps with doctors in and out of the hospital, preventive services, diagnostic testing and DME (durable medical equipment such as canes, crutches, hospital beds etc.).

In addition to Parts A and B, there is also Part C, sometimes called Medicare Advantage Plans. These plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. You'll get your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan and not Original Medicare.

"Part A is free for everyone that has worked at least 40 quarters in their lifetime or qualifies under their spouses benefit," Thousand said. "Part B is for doctors and outpatient coverage this is not free. The monthly cost is $134 and is automatically deducted from your Social Security check. There is a 10 percent penalty if you decide to sign up for Part B at a later date."

The Part A hospital deductible is $1,316 and covers a stay up to 60 continuous days. After 60 days the hospital charges $329 per day. At 90 days that adds up to $11,186, including the deductible.

On the 61st day there is a "Lifetime Reserve Days" provision where the hospital can charge $658 per day.

"Part A also has a skilled nursing provision that covers things like rehab," Thousand said. "This covers up to 20 days at a skilled nursing facility."

Thousand suggests making the correct choices when signing up for Medicare.

Your coverages choices are:

* Original Medicare with or without added prescription coverage.

* Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (aka MediGap) with or without added prescription coverage

* Choose to receive all your Medicare benefits from a private insurance company that has an annual contract with Medicare, called an Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage.

* Employer or Retiree Plan.

"If you feel your family is healthy and you don't want to spend the extra money you can just sign up for Medicare Part A," Thousand said. "Most Americans wind up paying the lowest premium for Part B and some add the prescription coverage."

There are 11 standardized Medicare supplement plans: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M & N. Plus High F. Each of these plans provides the same coverage regardless of the carrier, rand equires a monthly premium based on age, zip code, gender, etc. Most of these plans have a prescription plan built in.

Prescription Drug Plans are under Medicare Part D. These benefits are available to all people with Medicare and requires Part A and/or B. They are provided through stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans and some employers or unions. Premiums can range from $15 to $100 per month.

"For those that choose to opt out of the drug plan when they sign on to Medicare and wait say 10 years," Thousand said, "there is a penalty that is to be paid as a monthly premium. Once the government fixes your penalty you will pay that for the rest of your life."

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for those new Part B (turning 65 for example) lasts for 7 months. Three months before the birth month, the birth month and three months after the birth month. Coverage begins no earlier than the first day of the eligible month. For Part C Advantage Plans & Part D prescription drug plans is from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Coverage begins Jan. 1.

Q.: "If I want to make changes to my advantage or drug plan, when can I do that?"

A.: "The window for changing your benefits is from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7."

Q.: "What about dental and vision programs?"

A.: "Those are only available through private insurance."

Q.: Are the cost increases of Advantage Plans limited in any way?

A.: "I assume the government limits those costs but I've never dealt with that before."

Q.: "When can I disenroll from Part C?"

A.: "That can be done from Jan. 1 through Feb. 14."

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is currently mailing a booklet to every Medicare recipient entitled 'Medicare & You 2017" It is also available to download from Medicare.gov website.

Thousand's Insurance Options office is at 1401 Viscaya Parkway, Unit 2, Cape Coral. She can be contacted at 239-201-4560.